You Have the Same Life That Jesus Had on the Earth Pt. 2

Here’s a simple question that will help you to better understand Part 1 of this topic: Since Jesus is our Head, and we are His Body, why wouldn’t we, as the Body, have the same life as is in the Head? The answer is, of course, that we do have-as the body of Christ-the same life as Jesus, the Head had on the earth, and has today, in Heaven. Remember that just because we can’t grasp the reality of this truth doesn’t make it a lie.

If we, as the Body of Christ, don’t have the same life in us that Jesus had in Himself, on the earth, then who’s life is in us? II Corinthians 5:17 states that all persons in Christ are new spiritually,, including having a new spiritual life. That being said, who’s life is now in that new creature, in Christ? Where did that life come from?

The simple answer is, of course, that our spirit’s life comes from God’s life, from His very being. In the natural, a child has the same life in him/her that the parents have. My natural life came from my parents, not someone in the neighborhood. My DNA came from my parents. Spiritually, our DNA comes from God Himself, not an angel or other entity. Let that thought soak in your heart. Let it percolate in your mind. And then act on what you believe. Doing so will change your life. It certainly has changed mine, day by day.

You Have the Same Life That Jesus Had on the Earth Pt. 1

You and Jesus have the same life. If you’re a Christian-a follower of God, through serving Jesus Christ, then the same abundant life (zoe) that was in Jesus, when He was on the earth, is in you. Jesus said, in John 10:10, that He came that we might have life and that more abundantly. He wants us to have the same life that He had-and still has. I John 4:17 states that as He is so are we in this world. Not the one to come, but this one, here on this earth. How can this be done apart from having the same life? It can’t of course.

What does this mean, in simple terms? It means that the same life (zoe) that Jesus enjoyed here on earth is in the Church. Not a denomination, but THE Church, made up of all who have confessed Jesus as their Lord and Savior, out of a believing heart. That means every person in the world; young and old, male and female, who is serving God, through Jesus Christ His Son has within himself or herself, the ability to live in this life as Jesus did in His entire time on the earth.

Something to think about: You have a head and a body. Your head gives instructions to your body, which your body then obeys. Your body gets its commands from the head, which your body carries out. Your head doesn’t carry out commands-it gives them. Really, your head is helpless apart from your body. Likewise, the body is completely dependent upon the head to give it direction. Your head doesn’t pick things up-your body (hopefully) does. Your head can’t drive a vehicle, but it does give commands for the body to carry out to enable a vehicle to safely operate.

Since the Bible clearly shows us that we, as the Body of Christ, have the same life that Jesus has on the earth, why do so many Christians suffer sickness, disease, depression, poverty, fear, for examples? Why are most Christians going through life on earth with their nose to the proverbial grindstone?

Who’s fault-if anyone’s-is it? God’s? No, that can’t be true because that would violate His Word, which is His will. God never wishes anything for the world that doesn’t line up with His written word, including the two verses listed earlier. What about the devil getting the blame. No, that won’t work either, because Jesus soundly defeated the devil, as described in Colossians 1:13, 2:15, and Hebrews 9:12, to name but a few verses. Jesus’s victory over the devil was complete. A 100% annihilation of Satan and his emissaries. And the victory that Jesus won He won for you and me.

If not complete then Jesus failed in His mission, and we’re in a heap of trouble. Fortunately, Jesus’s victory was absolutely complete, defeating sin, sickness (I Peter 2:24 and I John 3:8), and poverty as well (II Corinthians 8:9, 3 John 2). He wiped the slate clean, so to speak. As believers we now have everything we need, in Christ, to make us a success in this life. We have God’s Word, including the armor of God, and the use of Jesus’s own Name. Additionally we are covered by the precious Blood of Jesus, and are led by the Spirit of God. Jesus won the battle, with room to spare.

So, if not God’s or the devil’s fault, whose is it? To be blunt-it’s ours. Either through ignorance or just plain disobedience, we have failed to grasp the reality described above: that the same life (zoe) that Jesus (our Head) had on the earth now belongs to every believer as part of the Church, Christ’s body, hopefully including you. This truth is so strongly opposed by the devil, because he knows that once a person finds out and walks in this truth, Satan’s influence over that person greatly diminishes.

There’s so much to cover in this area that Part 2 will be coming out soon. For some not knowing, zoe (zo-a (long a sound) is the Greek word for life in so much of the New Testament.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2024

Pretty Poison Pt. 2

Fast forward to after accepting Christ into my heart, shortly after high school graduation. My love for music continued, except now I was learning hymns as well as songs of the Jesus Revolution. Names like Andrae Crouch, Love Song, and Nancy Honeytree. were gaining popularity among Jesus people. Music that was pretty upbeat, with messages of encouragement, although not always evangelically true.

Because of who some people were, their music became popular. if those persons wrote 2 or 3 songs lining up with Scripture, the next song might escape the scrutiny of the first few. I’ve said for years now, never base your theology on the words of your favorite composer. Since faith comes by hearing the Word of God, doubt comes by hearing something outside of the New Testament. Measure everything by God’s Word.

Times haven’t changed. So much music in church services today falls into the same situation: pretty music with poison words. The devil, who was once in charge of praise and worship before God’s throne, is an intelligent enemy. He knows that pretty music wrapped around toxic words and phrases can easily catch peoples’ attention. The pretty music is a vehicle carrying deadly cargo, something to be guarded against.

Just having some catchy chords has hooked many a believer over the years, including myself. More than once I’ve had to stop listening to a certain song, due to the wrong words-even when the music appealed. Saying that there’s nothing good in us can’t be backed by New Testament teaching that says that, as believers, we have God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit living in us. That’s GOOD NEWS!

That’s why I so appreciate the music of David Ingles, who has written dozens of songs which are all thoroughly scriptural, with chords and notes which stay with the listener. At times, I’ll hear one of David’s many songs on the inside, giving God’s answer for something I’m facing. Thank God for good music.

The next time you’re hearing pretty music, listen to the words. Do they line up with the Bible, or are they just someone’s opinion? Do they encourage you, lift you, or are they pulling you down? If the words aren’t in line with the New Covenant, consider turning the music off and doing your own singing to the Lord.

Perhaps some may think I’m being nit-picky about the type of music we should listen to and, perhaps, I am. I do know that some of the rock music of the 60s contributed to the breakup of my family. More so from the words than the music for, as I stated in my previous offering, some of the 60s rock and roll became easy listening music of the 90s.. Apparently the words mattered more than the music.

Pick your music carefully. Hear what’s being sung, lining them up with the New Testament. If a song just “grabs” your attention, though not lined up with the Bible, you’ll have to make your own decision as to whether you continue to hear that particular song. And musicians, realize that words matter, especially when “carried” in a pretty musical format. If God has gifted you in this manner, guard that gift with your heart. Consider changing words to line up with the New Testament. You can do this. Ask God; He’ll show you what to do.

Because knowledge is progressive, we should know more than those of even 50 years ago. Love is a choice, not a feeling. Faith is an act, not a feeling. So let’s overlook old revelation. In other words, have as much sense as a cow eating hay: eat the hay, leaving the sticks. And be blessed as a result.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2024

Pretty Poison Pt. 1

One childhood memory I have is listening to music. We had a 45-rpm record player that I spent hours using, listening to a number of 45-rpm records. Some were old classics, while others were popular for a period of time. None were spiritual songs, because, at that time I wan’t a Christian That didn’t take place until I was out of high school.

As a teenager I bought literally hundreds of those old 45s. At one time I had 355 45-rpm records. Many were popular with my age group. Songs about love being a feeling. Feeling love. Having-or losing-love. Losing one you loved. Searching for love in all the wrong places. And so forth.

At times the music was actually pretty.. Even today, when I hear some of those songs in a business, I still remember the music and the words. If only the composers were born again, writing something that pleased God. Even though they mostly didn’t, I still appreciate the genius of some of the composers.

Fast forward to after I became a Christian. I can remember singing songs, which had pretty music, having lyrics which tried to convey a message.

What’s my point in all of this? My point is that, while at times pretty, some of the words were often toxic. Pretty poison. That pretty music drew many to the poisonous messages, heard throughout this nation. Pretty poison.

At least some of the pretty poison music is now considered easy listening, My late mother listened to easy listening (just instrumental) music, not realizing how much of it originated as rock and roll, which she hated.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2024

What Does God Sound Like?

Most people, perhaps even you, have wondered, “what does God sound like?” Does He have a distinct voice, one that rises above all others? Is there a recording of what God has ever said? If so, what was said?

In answering the question, I’l let God give His answer, using words from, well, His Word. Let’s start with Psalm 103.20, “Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.” Notice the phrase “the voice of his word.” God’s word has a voice. His voice is heard through His Word, which the angels are listening and responding to.

Oftentimes it’s through the voice of good pastors, feeding their sheep. But, notice that the verse says that angels hearken to the voice of his (God’s) word”-no matter who’s doing the saying-you, me, or the pastor. Angels aren’t looking on the outside, and neither should we. They don’t care how the person who spoke God’s written Word is dressed. No, they’re listening to what’s being said, not what the vessel looks like.

Which is what God does. He hears His Word being spoken and sends answers to prayers based on His Word. God never considers how the mouthpiece looks, for He always looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). God’s not impressed by volume either, for Kings 19:12-13 tells us that God speaks through a still small voice-a delicate whispering, if you will. That’s why our minds need to be quiet, so our hearts (spirits) can hear from God, by His Spirit within us. Quiet has a place in our lives.

Instead of asking God to speak louder our focus should be on getting our minds quiet, on God’s written Word. While there’re times to shout, there’s something about being quiet that has its own explanation, that comes by doing. Psalm 46:10 says to be still, and know that God is, well, God.

How long will this process take? It depends on the person. Some folks already have a fairly quiet mind. For them, probably not as long, but it still takes months of daily practicing keeping our hearts filled with God’s Word. As an encouragement, It takes time and discipline to bring our minds quiet where we can hear God speaking to us, through our inward person-our spirits. If you haven’t yet begun, today is a great time to start the process of acquiring a quiet mind before God.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2024

A Life of Change

One thing about living for God that never changes, is that we’re constantly changing. Always changing to be more like Jesus. In our thoughts, words, and actions.

Although change is necessary to be more like Jesus, not everyone chooses to change. Some want things to be as they were. These folks are content with how things used to be. Things then weren’t perfect, but they were simple, easily understood, requiring little effort on our part to maintain. The “good old days.”

Change requires willingness and actions to accomplish whatever changes need to be done in order to draw closer to the finish line. Whoever said that problems would go away for Christians failed to tell the truth about things. Christians may face problems non-existent before coming to Christ, but now they have the supernatural authority to vastly mitigate-or even eradicate-such problems.

No, problems don’t just go away, problems may actually increase because, as a Christian, you’re now a threat to the devil. The difference is that now you have the means to stop the devil, concerning your own life. As a Christian, a child of God, you’re now in victory, the devil’s in defeat. You are now in Christ. God is, by the Holy Spirit, living in your spirit. Housed in your body, which belongs to God (Corinthians 6:20). You, however, are the custodian and caretaker of that body. What you think, believe, speak, and act out is your-not God’s-responsibility.

You now have God’s Word in you. You have the Blood of Jesus to cover, protect, and heal you. You have the Name of Jesus to use here on the earth, to get the same results in prayer that Jesus got when He was on the earth. And you have the same precious Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and direct you, that Jesus had during His early ministry, nearly 2,000 years ago. The very same one. There is only one Holy Spirit.

Change is required to be more like Jesus. He set an example before us, that we can faithfully follow (! Peter 2:21). Not in our own strength, ability, or righteousness. But by God’s. We can’t achieve God’s best apart from His means. That way He gets the glory, not us.

When we give action to what we believe, we’re taking steps of faith (and some are small) of obedience. The Bible says that we are to walk by faith, not by sight (2Corinthians 5:7). To walk by faith is to walk by what the Bible says, particularly through the New Testament Epistles-letters written to believers just like you and me. Starting with the book of Romans, going through Jude and Revelation.

As has been said, every journey starts with the first step. Walking with God is a life-long journey. Start with where you’re at. Do what you know to do. Taking that first step enables God to show you the next step. Each step produces change in you as well as, sometimes, those around you.

God’s steps are steps of peace. In fact, according to Proverbs 3:17, wisdom’s ways are ways of pleasantness and all of its paths are peace. Declare that you are God’s child and that He is leading you on the inside.

Then take the next step.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2024

From Death to Life, Part 5: A New Dream

Four weeks after Neil Armstrong made “one giant leap for mankind,” the Woodstock music festival was winding down its last night, and I was attending my third evening service with real people.

Real people, as in genuine, caring individuals who appeared to accept me as someone searching for something I didn’t have, but couldn’t define or explain. Just 17, full of anger, fear, and resentment towards women. A resentment based, in part, on my relationship with my mother, now out of the house. For which I was, at that time, glad.

Pastor Kline led us in a few songs, took the offering, and gave the evening message. To this day I don’t remember one word of what he preached. What I do remember was him doing something at the end of his sermon that he hadn’t done the previous two Sunday evenings: he gave an invitation for anyone wanting to invite Christ into their lives, to raise their hand.

One fear that I had was that if I raised my hand and came forward I didn’t know what people would do to me. My heart was open to God, just not to people I didn’t know.

God’s pretty smart about a lot of things. Actually God is omniscient-all knowing-and knew this about me. I was reluctant to raise my hand because I thought this girl from high school would see it (embarrassing). To this day I have no doubt that an angel helped me to raise my hand, because all of a sudden it was in the air. In the air, with no human assistance.

Instead of having me come forward (whew) Pastor Kline acknowledged the raised hand and said “if that person would come see me after service, I’d like to talk with you.” With service ended I told the family I sat with “I think Pastor Kline wants to talk to me.” 

After everyone had cleared out the pastor and I went into the side room I mentioned in my previous post. Pastor Kline briefly explained that everyone needs to be what Jesus called “born again”, having Christ in their heart. This meant we turn from our old life to receive the new life that God offers through Jesus Christ, His Son. 

Pastor Kline led me in a prayer in which I asked Jesus to come into my life. At a little after 9:00 pm, on Sunday, August 17, 1969, I passed from spiritual death to new life, in Christ, as a child of God. I was the same physically and mentally, but something had happened in my heart. Not the physical one but in my spirit, that now had the very life and nature of God in it. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17 I was a new person in Christ. There was a new me in me.

Natural babies have no past. In the eyes of God, neither does a spiritual baby. God sees new Christians with no past-only a bright future. That’s the life that I entered into, over 50 years ago.

By God’s grace and mercy-and the patient assistance of many people over these 50+ years-I am growing. Am I fully developed, spiritually? No. Am I satisfied with where I am in my walk with God? Again, no. But, in the words of the apostle Paul, “But by the grace of God I am what I am..” (1 Corinthians 15:10.).

Thank you for taking the time to “hear” my story. This is only the beginning of many such stories of God’s workings in people’s lives. This one happened to be mine. I hope you were blessed.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2019-2024

From Death to Life, Part 4: New Dream

Attending a new church is one thing; going to an evening service-other than Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve-was, for me, another matter entirely. By myself, not knowing what to expect, I drove across town to a building that appeared to be not much bigger than where I lived with my dad.

I cautiously approached the front, where I was greeted by folks who seemed genuinely glad to see me. So far, so good. To my left were a few classrooms, followed by the all-important bathroom. Inside the small sanctuary were pews, a small platform, and a side room that became significant later on.

I sat with this family who had opened up their home and, more importantly, their hearts to a lost young man. One with no direction. Loving someone who cannot love you back is true love.

The pastor of this church doubled as song leader, accompanied by a woman on the piano. She certainly knew how to play. None of the hymns we sang were familiar. I was used to singing out of a hymnal,-just not the one this church used. Different church. Different people. Different songs. Different, for sure.

I don’t remember the sermon, only that there was no invitation to become a Christian. That was fine with me; I wasn’t ready. The small turnout of around 50 were real people. They seemed to also have what the family I was with had: a genuine interest in me as a person. And no one was trying to get anything from me.

Service over, back to my house. Another week of questions, more questions, and some arguing as my visits continued. Another invitation to attend Sunday service, which I accepted.

The second Sunday evening service was, as I recall, pretty much the same as the first. Same nice people, same hymnal with different songs. Just a different message, with no invitation.

Around this time I asked this now-familiar family for prayer for a job. Young men then-as now- needed their own spending money. A few days later I was hired at a local drug store, a real answer to prayer. This store had a lunch counter and, interesting to me, underground storage bins for overstock. Going below the main floor to store/access merchandise was a space saver-and kind of fun at the same time. To this day I enjoy watching movies with secret passageways and entries.

Getting this job after prayer was an attention getter to someone looking for answers It also caused me to do a better job of managing my time. My part-time income eliminated outside assistance from my Dad.

Being turned down by two colleges meant I was going to the local community college. I could go to school and work part time. With Mom working there I had no tuition, just books. Nice.

Once again I was invited to Sunday evening service with this family. The date was August 17, 1969. Some will remember this date as the last night of some music festival called Woodstock. For me this night was to be beyond anything I had ever dreamed before: A night with a new dream.

I’ll tell you about it in my next post, on August 17th.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2019-2024